African Violet FOTD

So it appears that I haven't done a purple FOTD yet on this here blog. SHOCKING!! Must be remedied immediately!!
Other than being my favourite colour, purple is also universally flattering and I've been told by various beauty industry insiders that it will be THE colour this Autumn.
I used the Stila In The Moment palette that I reviewed back in this post.

Products used:

Eyes:

• Lise Watier Crayon Jumbo in Peche Melba as all over base;
• Stila Instinct (top row first from left) all over lid;
• Glance (top row middle) from middle of lid to outer corner;
• Improvise (top row second from right) outer corner and crease;
• Blend;
• Improvise on outer half of lower lash line;
• Tetra (Smudge Stick Waterproof Liner) on upper lash line;

Face:

• Lise Watier Havana Baked Bronzer as contour;
• The Body Shop Roseflower blush on apples of cheeks;

Lips:

• Benefit Jing-a-ling lipstick;
• Essence Candy Bar lipgloss

In other news, I have decided to run and join the circus:

and bake cookies:

Essence lipstick review

Full steam ahead with reviews of my recent Essence cosmetics haul.
I picked up a few of Essence's lipsticks along with their lipglosses that I reviewed in my last post. With the low price point, I had to constantly remind myself that at last count my lipstick/gloss collection numbered well over the 50 mark. Twas difficult job but someone had to take one for the team. These lipsticks have apparently won Allure's Best of Beauty award and Essence products are not tested on animals.
The colour I got is called "Like A Lady". Must be a very bold lady xD.

Swatches:

They sez:
"soft, seductive and unbelievably creamy: the popular essence lipstick is available in ten new shades just in time for spring! thanks to the new color-coded packaging, it's super-easy to reach for your favorite color and pick the right lipstick to go with your new spring outfits.
available in a total of 10 different colors."
Nunu sez:
These lipsticks reminds me somewhat of Rimmel Lasting Finish lipsticks, it has a tad more slip but the formula and finish are very similar. A plus for me is that the Essence lipsticks don't have that weird chemical licorice scent that Rimmel lipsticks have, instead it has a faint caramel/vanilla scent.
As you can see, the pigmentation is amazing. It begins to fade around the 3 hour mark but the darker colours will stain. On me, the formula was not drying.
The only sad thing is that the colour selection is kind of meh and too many of the colours have a frost finish. Also try the colours Red Carpet and Fairytale.
For $2.99 each, you really can't go wrong and I whole heartedly recommend these.

Bonus NOTD: Zoya Bevin

Essence Stay With Me lipgloss review

I was in Shoppers Drug Mart taking advantage of their $3.99 Revlon Lip Butter sale when I noticed the Essence display at the end of the cosmetics aisle. I'd clean forgot that Essence Cosmetics were rolling out in Canada! I've come across the brand in my visits to drugstores in America but never really paid them much heed, but hey since I had time to kill I decided to start swatching some of the lip products...
SACRED BOVINE! 
These things were pigmented!And insanely cheap!! $2.99 for a lipgloss!! Nothing in the entire display was over a fiver!
In the end I grabbed 4 of the Stay With Me glosses and one of their lipsticks, but I am still on the hunt for more of their products as they will make excellent package fillers.
Without further ado, here are some swatches:

 MY FAVOURITE MILKSHAKE:

 ME & MY ICECREAM:

 CANDY BAR:

 KISS KISS KISS:

 Swatches from left: My Favourite Milkshake; Me & My Ice Cream; Candy Bar; Kiss Kiss Kiss:

Essence sez:
"the name of this lipgloss could not be more appropriate: if you try it once, you'll never want to give it up again! the color-intensive texture is so wonderfully creamy and durable – without leaving a sticky feeling behind, that it's simply irresistible. the special shape of the precision applicator allows an effortless application.
six trendy colors are waiting to awaken those spring feelings and invite you to a creative styling session!"
Nunu sez:
Ah, ja ze Germans know how to make 'em well. I could easily believe that these were high end lip glosses that cost tens of dollars instead of the paltry $2.99 I paid for them. The gel-like formula is non-sticky, moisturising and lasts around 2-3 hours depending on what you do. Pigmentation is awesome but darker ladies might want to avoid the lighter shades because the milkiness does tend to accentuate lip lines. These glosses also have a yummy sweet fruity scent.
The hourglass shaped applicator is quite unique and something I've never seen before, it works rather well by hugging the curve of your lip and I much prefer it over brush applicators or the MAC doe foot applicator.
For $2.99 you shouldn't walk, you should RUN to your nearest Shoppers Drug Mart and nab them all before the word spreads xD.